Supreme Court Asks Centre to Identify Authority and Five Pilot Towns for Footpath Compliance

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to identify a central authority responsible for ensuring demarcated footpaths wherever roads exist and to propose five towns for initial implementation.

Background and legal issue

The direction follows the Court's earlier judgment recognising walking and access to footpaths as part of constitutional movement and personal-liberty protections The Bench said the responsible authority must possess adequate infrastructure, personnel, space and funding The Centre must report on the proposed institutional mechanism and pilot locations

Reasoning and significance

The continuing proceedings shift the earlier declaration of pedestrian rights toward implementation, requiring governments and local bodies to translate the constitutional obligation into practical, accessible and maintained pedestrian infrastructure.

The legal effect is confined to the ruling or procedural development reported here. Allegations and submissions are not treated as established facts unless expressly adjudicated.